Use of Augmented Reality (AR) in Health Care Industry

Augmented Reality (AR) is an increasing part of life. AR differs from Virtual Reality (VR) which is a major part of the multi-billion-dollar global gaming entertainment industry. According to "The Medical Futurist"(2019), “Augmented reality differs from its most known “relative”, virtual reality (VR) since the latter creates a 3D world completely detaching the user from reality. AR is unique as users do not lose touch with reality and it puts information into eyesight as fast as possible.” (Augmented Reality in Healthcare Will Be Revolutionary: 9 Examples). Therefore, AR offers applications that lend to realistic unaltered medical training. However, AR offers much more than just training opportunities.

Augmented Reality works with innovative tools such as Google Glasses to help health care professionals to share information during treatment, dictate to or provide immediate access to data and information from patient records, and may allow hands free work providing for a more sanitary environment ("MHA Degree", n.d.). According to "Referral Md"(n.d.), “Augmented reality can be used to show a patient exactly how to apply medication, wash and dress a wound, and other duties that can easily be done by a patient rather than a doctor to prevent further aggravation of injury (Augmented Reality). Are there any draw backs to the use of AR in health care?

There are five potential risks associated with AR use in health care (Joshi, 2018).

1. Information overload that results in stress to users
2. Perception impairment related to device quality
3. Distraction to new users
4. Privacy as AR devices use information gained across platforms
5. Security vulnerabilities from hackers or other unauthorized access

There are risks associated with the introduction of innovation across any sector and the health care sector is no different. However, one must consider benefits gained vs. the impact and severity of identified risks. First-mover advantage for AR may have past and new opportunities may now exist for second movers to capitalize on early entry mistakes. Time will tell. Do you think it is a ‘Rough Water’ or ‘Calm Water’ market for AR within the health care industry?

References
MHA Degree(n.d.). Retrieved from https://mhadegree.org/will-google-glass-revolutionize-the-medical-industry/
Joshi, N. (2018). Allerin. Retrieved from https://www.allerin.com/blog/organizations-should-address-these-5-risks-of-ar
Referral md (n.d.). Retrieved from https://getreferralmd.com/2018/09/9-recent-medical-innovations-disrupting-healthcare/
The Medical Futurist (2019). Retrieved from https://medicalfuturist.com/augmented-reality-in-healthcare-will-be-revolutionary/